Hybrid motorsport garment

ABSTRACT

A hybrid motorsport garment is provided. The garment includes at least one leg covering and a knee padding and protective assembly. The knee padding and protective assembly includes a knee frame and a cylindrical shaped object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a garment and moreparticularly to a hybrid motorsport garment.

Garments, such as pants and/or combined pants/jacket racing suits, arecommonly used by people operating motorsport vehicles such as amotorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile. Such pants and suitscommonly employ at least one leg covering, and lower body anterior andposterior surfaces to cover a pelvic area of a rider's body. Such pants,however, do not provide adequate protection from side and/or frontimpacts to a leg, hyper-extending a knee area or other related leginjuries. Moreover, conventional pants restrict leg movement due tofolds in the leg covering around the knee area. Furthermore,conventional pants do not incorporate a leg brace with a device forsliding on surfaces while turning corners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a hybrid motorsport garment isprovided. In another aspect of the present invention, a garment includesa leg covering and a knee padding and protective assembly. In a furtheraspect of the present invention, a knee padding and protection assemblyincludes a knee frame and a cylindrical shaped object. The knee frame isoperative to reduce tearing or weakening of anterior and posteriorligaments, and to protect against impacts around a knee area of a leg.The frame extends from a femoral area to a shin area and covers thesides of the leg. The cylindrical shaped object is coupled to the frameand operative for sliding on the ground while cornering at high speeds,for example, on a motorcycle.

The present invention is advantageous over a traditional motorsport pantin that the present invention pivots with a rider's movement and reducesfront and/or side impacts to the leg and hyper-extending of a knee area,which would otherwise cause knee related injuries. The present inventionis further advantageous by providing energy-absorbing pads. Moreover,the present invention incorporates a knee slider often used bymotorcycle racers. Additionally, the present invention reduces overallweight and bulk in comparison to a conventional motorsport protectivepant by integrating the assembly into the pant and removing a portion ofthe pant beneath the assembly, while retaining the knee slider. Removingthe portion of the pant beneath the assembly also allows the pant tohave a more aerodynamic shape. Furthermore, the present inventionprovides increased leg movement by substantially reducing folds ofmaterial that restricted a rider's movement around the knee area andadding a set of hinge devices to the assembly. The present invention isalso aesthetically fashionable and provides easy to use attachmentdevices, which effectively allows the rider to remove and replace suchattachment devices as wear and tear occurs or as otherwise needed.Additional advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of ahybrid slider and protective garment of the present invention, used by arider on a motorcycle;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view showing the preferred embodimentgarment of a left leg of a user;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view showing of the preferredembodiment garment on a left leg of a user;

FIG. 4 is a side diagrammatic view illustrating a user's body inrelation to the preferred embodiment garment;

FIG. 5 a is a front elevational view showing of the preferred embodimentgarment;

FIG. 5 b is a front elevational view showing of an alternativeembodiment garment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded, rear perspective view showing a knee padding andprotection assembly employed with the preferred embodiment garment;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view showing the preferred embodimentgarment with the securing device on a left leg of a user;

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view showing the preferred embodimentgarment with the securing device on a left leg of a user;

FIG. 9 is a left side elevational view showing the preferred embodimentgarment with the securing device and an extension device coupled to aboot on a left leg of a user;

FIG. 10 is a right side elevation view showing the preferred embodimentgarment with the securing device and the extension device coupled to aboot on a left leg of a user; and

FIG. 11 is perspective view showing the preferred embodiment garmentwith the securing device and the extension device, used by a rider on amotorcycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 11, the preferred embodiment of a hybridgarment 10 of the present invention is worn by a rider 12 utilizing amotorcycle 14 or other motorized vehicle. Hybrid garment 10 ispreferably a pant or a pant portion of a combined pant/jacket racingsuit. Hybrid pant 10 includes at least one leg covering 16 having aparameter defining a hole and a knee padding and protection assembly 18.Leg covering 16 is made of a leather material. A preferred leather gradefor the leg covering is 1.1 mm. Leg covering 16 is permanently coupledadjacent to the parameter of assembly 18 such that assembly 18 iscoupled partly interior and partly exterior to leg covering 16. Assembly18 is sewn to leg covering 16, as shown in FIG. 4 at 19. Leg covering 16stops and assembly 18 begins within a femoral area 20 of a leg 22.Additionally, assembly 18 ends within a shin area 24 of leg 22, and legcovering 16 continues and extends to an ankle area of leg 22. Removing aportion of the leg covering to form the parameter defining the holereduces bunching of leg covering 16 around a knee area 26 and decreasesoverall bulk and weight of leg covering 16. Additionally, thisconstruction allows a direct contact between a user's body and assembly18, which aids in increasing movement within knee area 26 of leg 22without leg 22 hyper-extending. Leg covering 16 is constructed such thatleg covering 16 and assembly 18 produce a tight and snug fit around leg22 of rider 12. In addition to the leather material, leg covering alsoutilizes an elastic material 27 behind knee area 26 of leg 22 to furtheraccomplish the tight and snug fit.

FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate knee padding and protection assembly 18including a knee frame 28, a disk or cylindrical shaped object or device30 and a crash, impact or energy absorbing pad 32. Knee frame 28 iscoupled to cylindrical shaped object 30. Additionally, knee frame 28 iscoupled to crash absorbing pad 32. Frame 28 is made of a polymericmaterial such that frame 28 is a rigid, unyielding and durablecomponent. Frame 28 also reduces, if not prevents, tearing or weakeningof anterior and posterior ligaments and protects against front and/orside impacts around knee area and a shin area 24 of rider 12. Frame 28extends from femoral area 20 to shin area 24 of leg 22, as shown in FIG.4.

FIGS. 2-3 and 5-11 show frame 28 including an upper assembly 34, a lowerassembly 36 and a set of pivotal units or swivel devices 38. Upperassembly 34 comprises an upper padding 40 placed inside of an upper hardouter shell 42. Upper assembly 34 is positioned over femoral area 20 andknee area 26 and femoral area 20 of leg 22. Lower assembly 36 comprisesa lower padding 44 placed inside of a lower hard outer shell 46. Kneepadding and protection assembly 18 and leg covering 16 are coupled suchthat upper padding 40 and lower padding 44 are located inside of legcovering 16, as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, lower assembly 36 extendsfrom knee area 26 to shin area 24 of leg 22, such that upper assembly 34and lower assembly 36 overlap within knee area 26. Upper hard outershell 42 and lower hard outer shell 46 are made of any polymericmaterial that produces a rigid and durable outer shell to reduce impactsto the leg 22 and other knee related injuries to knee area 26 and shinarea 24. Additionally, upper cushion section 40 and lower cushionsection comprises foam, felt or any elastometric material which producesa soft padding. Set of pivotal units 38, such as a pair of hingedevices, couples upper assembly 34 to lower assembly 36. Set of pivotalunits 38 enable movement and guiding of upper assembly 34 to lowerassembly 36 for a plurality of knee positions. Additionally, set ofpivotal units 38 provides an acute angular movement of upper assembly 34relative to lower assembly 36. The preferred angular range of the frameis 80 to 170 degrees. This angular range is desirable to allow rider 12relatively full movement of leg 22.

FIGS. 1, 3-7, 9 and 11 display cylindrical shaped object 30 placed on anoutside of knee area 26 on lower assembly 36 of frame 28. Cylindricalshaped object 30 is used by rider 12 to slide on a surface, such as aroad, while cornering at high speeds, as shown in FIG. 1. Cylindricalshaped object 30, such as a puck, is made of a hard ceramic and/or apolymeric material. However, cylindrical shaped object 30 may also bemade of a wood and/or a leather material. In order to replace and removecylindrical shaped object 30, due to wear and tear, cylindrical shapedobject 30 is temporarily affixed to frame 28 via a hook and loopfastener 50.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, crash absorbing pad 32, also known as bodyarmor, is permanently coupled to frame 28 via a permanent attachment,such as adhesive. Additionally, crash absorbing pad 32 is seated withinframe 28. Crash absorbing pad 32 absorbs energy and protects knee area26 from impacts during use. Crash absorbing pad 32 is made of anyelastomeric material, preferred examples of which include: naturalrubbers; synthetic rubbers; rubber-like polymers and other rubber-likematerials such that crash absorbing pad 32 includes a hard outer surface52 and a cushioned or compressible inner portion 54. Crash absorbing pad32 is injection molded in a three-dimensionally curved shape, such thatknee area 26 of rider 12 rests comfortably as knee area 26 is bent.

In FIGS. 7-8 and 11, a securing device 48 a, 48 b and 48 c, such aselastic or non-elastic straps, belts or bands, may optionally be used toadd support around leg 22. A first strap 48 a is coupled to upperassembly 34 of frame 28. First strap 48 a extends circumferentiallyaround femoral area 20 of leg 22. Additionally, a second strap 48 b anda third strap 48 c are coupled to lower assembly 36 of frame 28, suchthat second strap 48 b is positioned above third strap 48 c. Secondstrap 48 b and third strap 48 c extend circumferentially around a calfarea of leg 22 below knee area 26. Additionally, non-elastic straps maybe adjustable using a fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, abuckle unit or a snapping device.

Optionally, an extension or bridge device 56 is coupled to frame 28 anda boot 58 of rider 12, as shown in FIGS. 9-11. Extension device 56comprises an upper portion or unit, a lower portion or unit, at leastone upper fastening device 60 and at least one lower fastening device62. The at least one upper fastening device, such as a bolt and screwdevice, securely attaches extension device 56 to frame 28. Additionally,the at least one lower fastening device, such as a bolt and screwdevice, securely affixes to boot 58. Extension device 56 beingtelescopic extends and retracts by the lower portion sliding into theupper portion, which allows rider 12 to adjust and accommodate extensiondevice 56 for different leg lengths, boot heights and different legpositions while riding a motorsport vehicle.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes knee paddingand protection assembly 18 and securing device 48 without leg covering16, although some advantages of the present invention may not berealized. Additionally, as stated above, extension device 56 may beoptionally coupled to this alternative knee padding and protectionassembly 18 and a boot.

Additionally, various aspects of the present invention have beendisclosed, it should be appreciated that variations may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. For example, securingdevice 48 may include a fabric portion, in addition to or instead ofstraps. The fabric portion may be coupled to assembly 18 in thepreferred embodiment as well as the alternative embodiment. The fabricportion may fit circumferentially around leg 22 by providing a tightlysnug fit, where rider 12 would slide leg 22 through the fabric portionto affix assembly 18 against leg 22 for a tightly snug fit.Alternatively, securing device 48 may include more or less than threestraps for added support. Securing device 48 may also be permanently ortemporally attached to assembly 18. Moreover, securing device 48 may beaffixed to leg covering 16, instead of assembly 18. Additionally, kneepadding and protection assembly 18 may be affixed on top of leg covering16, preventing direct contact between the user's body and assembly 18.Furthermore, frame 28 may be permanently affixed to leg covering 16 viaadhesive or some other permanent entity. Moreover, cylindrical shapedobject 30 may be temporary adhered to frame 28 with or without a recessvia a snap and lock feature and/or device, a twist and lock featureand/or device, a locking device, a buckle device, a button device, atying device, a clipping device or any combination thereof. Cylindricalshaped object 30 may be positioned on upper assembly 34 or lowerassembly 36 of frame 28. Furthermore, cylindrical shaped object 30 maytake on additional shapes and forms, but provide the same function.Additionally, the material of leg covering 16 may include a syntheticmaterial, a denim jean material, a textile fabric and/or any combinationthereof. Moreover, leg covering 16 may also contain additional paddingon the sides of knee area 26. Additionally, frame 28 may extend fartherup femoral area 20 and/or down shin area 24. Frame 28 may also extendfarther around the sides of leg 22 or may be reduced from the sides ofthe leg 22. Furthermore, crash absorbing pad 32 and frame 28 may includeadditional layers of cushion or additional pivotal units. Moreover, azipper or multiple zippers may be coupled to leg covering 16 to producea tighter fit of frame 28 to leg 22. Additionally, extension device 58may be affixed to frame 28 or boot 58 via a fastener, clip device and/orsnap device. It is also conceivable that the lower portion and the upperportion of extension device 56 may be interchangeable, such that thelower portion may be adaptable to couple to frame 28; likewise, theupper portion may be adaptable to couple to boot 58. Moreover, the upperor lower portion of extension device 56 may be permanently affixed toframe 28 or boot 58. Furthermore, the lower portion or upper portion ofextension device 56 may be fused into boot 58 or frame 28, whereextension 56 is incorporated into either frame 28 or boot 58.Additionally, FIGS. 2-11 show views of the present invention configuredfor a left leg of a rider, the present invention also may be configuredfor a right leg of a rider, wherein the hybrid motorsport garment 10 isa mirror image. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatwhile the details descriptions herein regarding garment 10 may beparticularly configured for the use of the left leg, one or morefeatures of garment 10 can also be used for the right leg of a rider andthe descriptions apply equally for each configurement of the invention.Moreover, various materials have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion,but other materials may of course be employed, although some of theadvantages of the present invention may not be realized. It is intendedby the following claims to cover these and any other departures from thedisclosed embodiments, which fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

1. A hybrid garment comprising: a leg covering; and a knee frame coupledpartly interior and partly exterior to the leg covering and operative toprotect a leg against impacts, where the frame extends from a femoralarea to a shin area.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the framecomprises: an upper assembly having an upper hard outer shell and anupper cushion section, the upper assembly being placed over the femoralarea and the knee area, the upper hard outer shell being placed over theupper cushion section; a lower assembly having a lower hard outer shelland a lower cushion section, the lower assembly being placed over theknee area and a shin area, the lower hard outer shell being placed overthe upper cushion section; and at least one set of pivotal unitscoupling the upper assembly to the lower assembly and operative toenable movement of the upper assembly to the lower assembly from a firstknee position to a section knee position.
 3. The garment of claim 2wherein the at least one set of pivotal units comprises at least one setof hinge devices providing an angular movement of the upper assemblyrelative to the lower assembly.
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein theknee frame is permanently coupled to the leg covering.
 5. The garment ofclaim 4 wherein the knee frame is sewn to the leg covering.
 6. Thegarment of claim 1 further comprising a crash absorbing pad coupled tothe frame and operative to absorb energy and reduce impacts to the kneearea of the leg, the crash absorbing pad having a hard outer surface anda cushion inner portion, the cushion inner portion being coupled to andplaced inside of the hard outer surface, and the crash absorbing padbeing molded into a three-dimensionally shaped curve, wherein the crashabsorbing pad aligns with and extends over the knee area.
 7. The garmentof claim 6 wherein the crash absorbing pad is permanently affixed to theframe.
 8. The garment of claim 1 further comprising an object coupled tothe frame and operative for sliding on a surface while cornering at highspeeds.
 9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the object comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of: ceramic, polymer,leather, wood and mixtures thereof.
 10. The garment of claim 1 whereinthe leg covering comprises a leather material, the leather materialhaving an elastic material, wherein the elastic material being locatedbehind the knee area of the leg covering such that the frame and the legcovering provide a snug and tight fit around the leg.
 11. A knee paddingand protection assembly comprising: a substantially rigid structureoperative to reduce impacts around a knee area and a shin area of a leg,the structure extending from a femoral area to the shin area; and animpact absorbing pad coupled to the structure and having a hard outersurface and a compressible inner portion, the compressible inner portionbeing coupled to the hard outer surface, wherein the pad substantiallyaligns with and extends over the knee area.
 12. The assembly of claim 11further comprising an object coupled to the structure, wherein thedisk-shaped object being operational for dragging on a road surfacewhile cornering at high speeds.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein thedisk-shaped object being temporarily affixed to the structure.
 14. Theassembly of claim 13 wherein the disk-shaped object is coupled to thestructure by a hook and loop fastener.
 15. The assembly of claim 11further comprising a bridge device is coupled to the structure andoperative to securely fasten to a boot.
 16. The assembly of claim 15wherein the bridge device comprises a telescopic device adjusting toaccommodated different leg lengths and positions while fastened to theboot.
 17. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the structure comprises: anupper unit having an upper unyielding outer cover and an upper padding,the upper unit being placed over the femoral area and the knee area,wherein the upper padding being placed within and coupled to the upperunyielding outer cover; a lower unit having a lower unyielding outercover and a lower padding, the lower unit is placed over the knee areaand a shin area, wherein the lower unyielding outer cover being placedover and coupled to the lower padding; at least one set of swiveldevices coupling the upper unit to the lower unit and operative toenable movement of the upper unit to the lower unit for a plurality ofknee positions.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the at least oneset of swivel devices comprises at least one set of hinge devicesproviding movement of the upper unit relative to the lower unit.
 19. Theassembly of claim 11 further comprising at least one band coupled to alower portion of the structure, wherein the at least one bandsubstantially extends circumferentially around the leg below the kneearea of the leg.
 20. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising atleast one band coupled to an upper portion of the structure, wherein theat least one band substantially extends circumferentially around afemoral area of the leg.
 21. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the impactabsorbing pad having a three-dimensionally shaped curve shape.
 22. Amotor sport garment comprising: a leg covering; a knee frame coupledpartly interior and partly exterior to the leg covering and operative toprotect against leg impacts, the frame extending from a femoral area toa shin area of a leg; and a device coupled to the frame and operationalfor dragging along a road surface while turning corners.
 23. The garmentof claim 22 further comprising a energy absorbing pad coupled to theframe, wherein the energy absorbing pad substantially reduces impacts tothe knee area of the leg, the energy absorbing pad having a hard surfaceand an inner cushion inner, wherein the inner cushion being located andcoupled to the hard outer surface, and wherein the energy absorbing padcontours and extends over the knee area.
 24. The garment of claim 23wherein the energy absorbing pad being permanently coupled to the frame.25. The garment of claim 24 wherein the energy absorbing pad is coupledto the frame via an adhesive.
 26. The garment of claim 22 furthercomprising: an extension device coupled to the knee frame; and a bootcoupled to the extension device, the extension device being operative tosecurely attach to the boot.
 27. The garment of claim 26 wherein theextension device comprises a telescopic device operative to extend andcompress by sliding a lower section within an upper section andsubstantially fasten to the boot.
 28. The garment of claim 27 whereinthe extension device is coupled to the boot and the frame using at leastone fastening device.
 30. The garment of claim 27 wherein the extensiondevice is temporary coupled to the frame and to the boot.
 31. Thegarment of claim 22 wherein the frame comprise a polymeric material suchthat the frame is rigid and durable.
 32. The garment of claim 22 whereinthe leg covering is constructed to produce a tight and snug fit aroundthe leg within the frame.
 33. The garment of claim 22 further comprisingat least one belt coupled to an upper assembly of the frame andoperative to extend circumferentially around the femoral area of theleg.
 34. The garment of claim 22 further comprising at least one beltcoupled to a lower assembly of the frame and operative to extendcircumferentially around the leg below a knee area of the leg.
 35. Amethod of manufacturing a garment comprising: making a leg covering;producing a substantially rigid leg component; and coupling the rigidleg component to the leg covering, wherein the rigid leg component iscoupled partly interior and partly exterior to the leg covering.
 36. Themethod of claim 35 wherein coupling the rigid leg component to the legcovering further comprises sewing the rigid leg component to the legcovering.
 37. The method of claim 35 wherein providing the rigid legcomponent further comprises: producing an upper assembly; making a lowerassembly; manufacturing at least one set of swivel units; and pivotingthe lower assembly relative to the upper assembly, using the set ofswivel units, to enable movement of the upper assembly to the lowerassembly for a plurality of knee positions.
 38. The method of claim 35further comprising: manufacturing at least one belt; affixing the atleast one belt to an upper portion of the rigid leg component; andstrapping the at least one upper belt circumferentially around the legcovering within or above a knee area.
 39. The method of claim 35 furthercomprising: producing at least one belt; affixing the at least one beltto a lower portion of the rigid leg component; and strapping the atleast one belt circumferentially around the leg covering below a kneearea.
 40. The method of claim 35 further comprising: manufacturing adevice for sliding on a road surface while cornering; and coupling thedevice object to the rigid leg component.
 41. The method of claim 35further comprising: manufacturing a pad for absorbing an impact force;coupling the pad to the rigid leg component; and aligning the padsubstantially within the knee area of the rigid leg component.
 42. Abridge device comprising: an upper unit adaptive to couple to a rigidleg member, and a lower unit coupled to the upper unit and adaptive tocouple to a boot, where the lower unit slides within the upper unitadjusting for different leg lengths and leg positions when attached tothe boot and the rigid leg member.
 43. The device of claim 42 furthercomprising at least one fastening device coupled to the upper unit andoperational to securely affix the upper unit to the rigid leg member.44. The device of claim 43 wherein the at least one fastening devicecomprises at least one bolt and screw unit.
 45. The device of claim 42further comprising at least one fastening device coupled to the lowerunit and operational to securely adhere the lower unit to the boot. 46.The device of claim 45 wherein the at least one fastening devicecomprises at least one bolt and screw unit.
 47. A hybrid garmentcomprising: a leg covering having a parameter defining a hole; and aninflexible leg protector coupled adjacent to the parameter and operativeto protect against leg impacts.
 48. The hybrid garment of claim 47further comprising a device coupled to the inflexible leg protector andoperative to slide on a road surface while cornering at high speeds. 49.The hybrid garment of claim 47 further comprising an impact absorbingpad coupled to the inflexible leg protector and operative tosubstantially reduce impacts to the knee area of the leg, and whereinthe impact absorbing pad is placed beneath the inflexible leg protectorwithin the hole of the leg covering.
 50. The hybrid garment of claim 49wherein the impact absorbing pad being permanently coupled to theinflexible leg protector.
 51. The hybrid garment of claim 50 wherein theimpact absorbing pad is coupled to the inflexible leg protector via anadhesive.
 52. The hybrid garment of claim 47 further comprising anextension device coupled to the inflexible leg protector; and a bootcoupled to the extension device, the extension device being operative tosecurely attach to the boot.
 53. The hybrid garment of claim 52 whereinthe extension device comprises a telescopic device operative to extendand retract by sliding a lower section within an upper section, and thetelescopic substantially fastens to the boot.
 54. The hybrid garment ofclaim 52 wherein the extension device is coupled to the boot and theinflexible leg protector using at least one fastening device.
 55. Thehybrid garment of claim 52 wherein the extension device is temporarycoupled to the inflexible leg protector and to the boot.
 56. The hybridgarment of claim 47 wherein the inflexible leg protector comprise apolymeric material such that the inflexible leg protector is rigid anddurable.
 57. The hybrid garment of claim 47 wherein the leg covering isconstructed to produce a tight and snug fit around the leg within theinflexible leg protector.
 58. The hybrid garment of claim 47 furthercomprising at least one belt coupled to an upper assembly of theinflexible leg protector and operative to extend circumferentiallyaround the femoral area of the leg.
 59. The hybrid garment of claim 47further comprising at least one belt coupled to a lower assembly of theinflexible leg protector and operative to extend circumferentiallyaround the leg below a knee area of the leg.
 60. The hybrid garment ofclaim 47 wherein the inflexible leg protector is coupled party exteriorand partly interior to the leg covering.
 61. A method of manufacturing agarment comprising: producing a leg garment having a parameter defininga hole; manufacturing a substantially inflexible leg structure; andcoupling the inflexible leg structure adjacent to the parameter.
 62. Themethod of claim 61 wherein coupling the inflexible leg structure to theleg garment further comprises sewing the inflexible leg structure to theleg garment.
 63. The method of claim 61 wherein the inflexible legstructure further comprises is made of a polymeric material.
 64. Themethod of claim 61 further comprising: manufacturing at least one band;affixing the at least one band to an upper portion of the inflexible legstructure; and strapping the at least one upper band circumferentiallyaround the leg garment within or above a knee area.
 65. The method ofclaim 61 further comprising: producing at least one band; affixing theat least one band to a lower portion of the inflexible leg structure;and strapping the at least one band circumferentially around the leggarment below a knee area.
 66. The method of claim 61 furthercomprising: providing a device for sliding on a road surface whilecornering; and coupling the device object to the inflexible legstructure.
 67. The method of claim 61 further comprising: manufacturinga pad for absorbing an impact force; coupling the pad to the inflexibleleg structure; and aligning the pad substantially within the knee areaof the inflexible leg structure.
 68. The method of claim 61 whereincoupling the inflexible leg structure to the parameter further comprisescoupling the inflexible leg structure partly exterior and partlyinterior the parameter.